Neon | Release Date: October 2, 2020
7.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 76 Ratings
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49
Mixed:
24
Negative:
3
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8
bertobellamyOct 9, 2020
Brandon Cronenberg stands up by his father's legacy with a body horror thriller that encompasses some cyberpunk elements, technology alienation, and free will. Although the director seems fascinated more with the universe he has created thanBrandon Cronenberg stands up by his father's legacy with a body horror thriller that encompasses some cyberpunk elements, technology alienation, and free will. Although the director seems fascinated more with the universe he has created than its characters, 'Possessor' will definitely keep you hooked with its brutal story. Worth watching. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
TheQuietGamerFeb 7, 2021
Essentially a story about how much of our lives we lose to our jobs. When a corporate assassin with a penchant for taking over other people's bodies' latest hit goes south the real villain isn't the re-emerging consciousness of her host, butEssentially a story about how much of our lives we lose to our jobs. When a corporate assassin with a penchant for taking over other people's bodies' latest hit goes south the real villain isn't the re-emerging consciousness of her host, but rather her boss who would love nothing more than for her top performer to sever all ties (particularly familial) to anything outside of the workplace until her identity is nothing more than that of a wholly devoted employee. This core subject matter and allegory will likely strike a chord with anyone who has experienced a career that demands a lot of mandatory overtime, extended stretches away from home, or just comes with the feeling of not having much time for anything else. The movie toys around with some other compelling concepts as well. Like how companies violate our privacy to harvest our information or a key element of the plot being centered around the female protagonist inhabiting the body of a man and experiencing what it's like to have a penis as a result. The latter of which leads to a sex scene that will certainly leave viewers with plenty to chew on. The problem is that these scenes are more just interesting moments rather than fully fleshed out ideas that offer anything to say on the topics of gender identity, sexuality, or the unauthorized collection and selling of our personal data.

As important as the messaging and morals are, it's ultimately the visuals that will determine whether or not you enjoy the experience. Possessor deals in hardcore violent and sexual imagery. Expect erect penises, vulvas, and brutal murders galore. This kind of content will simply prove too much for some people. None of it comes off as shock value however, and there are plenty of sights that rely less on visceral horror in favor of a more psychological approach. Such as a battle that takes place entirely in the mental realm and concludes with the victor literally wearing the other's identity as a mask and being forced to contend with then becoming the owner of two sets of memories in what is easily the highlight of the film.

Yet, for all of its sick, stylish thrills that are certainly entertaining and intriguing to witness in the moment, there's nothing here that's quite haunting enough to stick with you for long after the credits have rolled. It's the one real downfall that keeps Possessor from being something that I can absolutely rave about. It's definitely good and certainly has some merit in its potential to appeal to both the art house crowd and a more blue collar audience, but it's missing something really powerful that would have allowed it to reach the levels of peak cinema it was perhaps going for. I can and will still recommend it, but you should probably temper your expectations before going in.

7.6/10
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0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
mbeckfordNov 7, 2020
I just wrote a review about how mainstream critics don't "get" horror, elevating attempts at filmmaking "art" over the basics that horror fans love. "Possessor" is an exception where critics (72 Metacritic Score) and users (7.6 MetacriticI just wrote a review about how mainstream critics don't "get" horror, elevating attempts at filmmaking "art" over the basics that horror fans love. "Possessor" is an exception where critics (72 Metacritic Score) and users (7.6 Metacritic Score) agree that it's a pretty damn good flick. The acting is excellent. Andrea Riseborough from "Mandy" is creepy odd (again) as a mind-possessing assassin, and Christopher Abbott from "It Comes at Night" is a depressed AND possessed soul for the next assassination. There are too many adjectives to list to give the film justice, so here's just a few: disturbing, violent, bloody, mind-bending, visual, provocative, While Brandon Cronenberg may have a similar interest in melding technology and horror as his father David Cronenberg, he is introducing his own style and originality. Very much like like Joe Hill has done with father Stephen King. All of which is nothing but a bonus for horror fans. Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
moviemitch96Oct 3, 2020
I saw this one yesterday afternoon, but I'm only now able to review it cause I'm honestly still trying to process everything I witnessed with it. In this rather grotesque film from director Brandon Cronenberg (son of famed body horrorI saw this one yesterday afternoon, but I'm only now able to review it cause I'm honestly still trying to process everything I witnessed with it. In this rather grotesque film from director Brandon Cronenberg (son of famed body horror director David Cronenberg), a young woman (Andrea Riseborough) who works for a secret company that deals in contact assassinations by using technology that allows a person to possess and take control of people's minds and bodies, finds herself assigned to possess a young man (Christopher Abbott) in order to have him assassinate his wealthy future father-in-law for inheritance purposes. However, things don't go so smoothly, as she finds his mind trying to fight back against her for control of his body, risking both of their lives and minds. First off, this film is GORY! Any squeamish audience members would do well to steer way clear of this one, as it's quite honestly one of the most violent films I've seen in years and contains some unbelievably brutal killings that will haunt and stick with me for better or worse. However, the film also happens to be very sleek and stylish, with a cool yet equally eerie futuristic atmosphere throughout. The film rather cleverly blends elements of sci-fi and body horror, and the dark tone and atmosphere adds an unnerving sense of dread and unpredictability whenever blood isn't being shed. Riseborough and Abbott also deliver powerhouse performances, giving it their all, and Jennifer Jason Leigh is also worth singling out here as Riseborough's boss and the owner of the secretive company. Like I said, everything on display here is pretty sleek and cool-looking, but I still couldn't help but feel as though the story and its premise could've been fleshed out (pun intended) a little more and I was left with a couple more questions than I would've liked. The film also seemed to slightly start losing its sense of direction towards the end as things became more and more chaotic, but I can't deny how shook I was by the film's final 5 minutes in more ways than one. And while the story overall did feel a been there, done that in some ways, the unique (and usually pretty gross) imagery made it stand out well enough, as well as helped it stand apart from other similar sci-fi films and tropes. Overall, great performances from the cast all across the board, and while I felt as though the story may have been a little shaky at times and could've fulfilled a little more potential, the haunting atmosphere and imagery of it all will undoubtedly stick with me... and I'm still trying to decide whether that's a good thing or not. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
PanchogulNov 16, 2020
Muy buena, la historia es un poco confusa de entender pero aún así la considero una de las pocas buenas películas del presente año, buena banda sonora y muy buenas actuaciones, sin embargo, muchas cosas no me quedaron muy claras, pero nadaMuy buena, la historia es un poco confusa de entender pero aún así la considero una de las pocas buenas películas del presente año, buena banda sonora y muy buenas actuaciones, sin embargo, muchas cosas no me quedaron muy claras, pero nada que leer un poco al respecto y darle otro vistazo no puedan solucionar, muy recomendable. Expand
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10
egoBorderJan 11, 2021
A great, nightmarish trip through the psyche of a killer and her prey. I can't speak highly enough about the polish of the filmmaking all around here. A haunting movie that will stick with you.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
kirkenderFeb 2, 2021
Brandon Cronenberg and crew have made a psychological body horror film that sets a super high bar for the genre. It will mess with your head and freak you out. Beautifully filmed, fantastic acting, superb pacing and editing. The less you knowBrandon Cronenberg and crew have made a psychological body horror film that sets a super high bar for the genre. It will mess with your head and freak you out. Beautifully filmed, fantastic acting, superb pacing and editing. The less you know about it when you watch it, the better. Expand
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7
JeBjBoFeb 12, 2022
"Possessor" slowly builds its story and tension and creates its own surreal atmosphere on the way.
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8
UncleWillardDec 5, 2020
This was brutal in the best possible way. Just a great plot and kind of a chase film. An impressive **** that is visually slick and sumptuous. Got a whiff of Enemy, or I'd at least put it on par if not superior; same ballpark.
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10
SaintdabbercertDec 17, 2020
Made with this provocative enigmatic vision, Brandon Cronenberg takes you on a disturbed thrill ride. With an nearly over-the-top premise this film is extremely original and works well with it. Often i find this film fantastically disturbingMade with this provocative enigmatic vision, Brandon Cronenberg takes you on a disturbed thrill ride. With an nearly over-the-top premise this film is extremely original and works well with it. Often i find this film fantastically disturbing if there was such a word to describe it. I found myself unable to look away and often taken a back by the visceral nature of the violence you see in this film. Tasya Vos works for a secretive organization that utilizes brain-implant technology that allows her to take control of specific targeted hosts in order to carry out contract killings. She’s found a specific niche in this field of work, that at times appears to have dramatic effects on her own psyche. As Tasya begins to lose control, she truly begins to struggle to suppress her own violent memories and has trouble controlling certain urges. This specific host for whatever reason begins to resist the hold she has on him and thats when a power struggle ensues that may threaten both’s identities. The surreal and unsettling visuals makes this masterful sci-fi a very memorable experience. Expand
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7
MarkTakayamaMar 9, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I like this sci-fi thriller. I liked tas who Andrea Riseborough plays. The plot is very easy to follow. There is a lot of violence that was hard for me to watch. Overall, well done.  Expand
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9
HarrybushFeb 2, 2021
This was refreshing to see such an original idea that is also a believable concept in the not so distant future perhaps. Everything was great, the cinematography was so cool. It’s graphic though beware but well worth the watch
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7
GiugiOct 5, 2022
Film with a really nice background idea and with a particular enough plot to be interesting. The film is also entertaining even if it has some forcing that make it difficult to understand different scenes.
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10
ProggersNov 11, 2022
Rarely do I throw on a random movie only for it to land squarely in my list of all time favourites. Possessor did that and then some!
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9
samcharlot123Feb 19, 2023
I'm here to write a review on Possessor since I wrote a review on Infinity Pool. I love both films and I can't put one over the other. They're both thought-provoking, well written, well acted, well directed films. I like dark surrealistI'm here to write a review on Possessor since I wrote a review on Infinity Pool. I love both films and I can't put one over the other. They're both thought-provoking, well written, well acted, well directed films. I like dark surrealist atmospheric films and Brandon Cronenberg is one of the few directors today who are embracing this type of filmmaking. He's learned a lot from his father and it's great to see he's following in his father's footsteps. I don't have a lot to say since I don't want to spoil the story for any people who will read this review. All I can say is that if you'd like to watch a dark, semi-gory, atmospheric surrealist thriller, then this film is for you. Expand
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